Schaefer seeks 'whistleblower' help

State Senate Appropriations Chairman Kurt Schaefer wants state employees' help in the ongoing investigation of the state Revenue department.

Speaking on the Senate floor this morning, Schaefer noted: "We do have on the books Section 105.055, which is the provision in state law that tells state workers — who come forward and point out to the General Assembly malfeasance, negligence or violations of state law in the conduct of their agency — (that they) are protected under this whistleblower provision."

He urged state workers to come forward with information about the Revenue department's recording and saving personal information from Missourians as they apply for, or renew, their driver's, non-driver's and concealed weapons licenses — then releasing that information to other agencies.

Schaefer, R-Columbia, is heading an investigation into the situation, and said Tuesday the Highway Patrol asked Revenue to compile a list of all concealed-carry permits in the state, at the joint request of the federal Social Security Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

He and others contend both the saving and releasing of the information violates state law.

"We seem to find more and more out everyday," he told colleagues, "and not only do we find out that more information, we find out that more people were involved in the decisions that were made. ...

"Anyone who comes before us in the General Assembly and brings us information of things like that going on, gets that protection under the statute.